Multicultural Festival injects $5 million into ACT economy

More than $5 million was injected into the ACT economy as a
direct result of the 2014 National Multicultural Festival – a massive increase
from $3.2 million last year, a survey has revealed.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Joy Burch said the 2014
National Multicultural Festival Spectator Survey, undertaken by the ACT
Government, also found that 96 per cent of attendees expressed a high degree of
satisfaction with this year's extravaganza.

A total of 850 spectators and participants were polled at the
Festival, followed by a community phone survey of 1,000 random Canberra
residents.

"Each year, the festival continues to grow and have a profound
impact on our community in terms of our city's cultural diversity and indeed
economy," Ms Burch said.

"More than 250,000 people flocked to Civic over the three days
of this year's festival and this survey shows that they enjoyed it.

"A total of 92 per cent said they would most likely attend
again in 2015 and 96 per cent would recommend it to a friend.

"More than half of respondents – 57 per cent – nominated food
as the element they enjoyed most but the diversity of culture, music and
overall entertainment also rated very highly.

"Virtually all spectators – 99 per cent – said they felt safe
or very safe during the festival."

The survey concluded that more than 41,000 interstate and
international visitors attended the event in 2014, with an estimated 11,500
crossing the border from Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra.

"Of the interstate and international visitors, most stayed in
Canberra an average of five nights. As a result, they contributed to an
additional 10,000 overnight stays in the city – coming to the capital
specifically to attend the festival," Ms Burch said.